Tongue-switch.



J. B. STRONG &AJ D. MUPHERSON.

TONGUE SWITCH.

APPLIoA'rIoN FILED JULY 2,2. 1909.

Patented Dea?, 1909.

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"TONGUB SWITCH. APPLICATION FILFD JULY 22, 1909.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES BoomuAN s'rEoNG AND .Tor-1N :ooUeLAs McPHEEsoN, 0E .HILLBUEN, NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. '7, 1909.

Application led July 22, 1909. Serial No. 509,056.

To all whom t 'may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES BooRMAN STRONG and JOHN DOUGLAS McPHEizsoN, citizens of the United States, residing at Hillburn, in the county of Rockland, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tongue- Switches, of which the .following is a specification, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, formin a part hereof. l

The object of this invention is to provide a tongue'switch that shall be self-contained,- that is contained entirely Within the limits of the normal track lines,-that is simple and compact in construction, that cannot be accidentally displaced, and which may be readily assembled or taken apart for purposesA of repair or replacement.

Having these and the various other objects in viewwhichl are hereinafter set forth the invention consists in the new and novel features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of our improved tongue switch. Fig. 2 is a detail plan'view on an'- enlarged scale showing the heel portion of the switch. Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 represent cross-sections on the lines 3 3, 4--4,y 5-5, 6--6 and 7--7 respectively of Fig. 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings showing one form of 'construction embodying our invention, the heel block 1 is -secured to the adjacent track rail 2 and guard rail 3, preferably b f suitable bolts 4. The heel block preferably rests uponv the bases of the ad'acent rails and has a'hcel filler 5 formed in` egral therewith to which is bolted one of the main rails Qa and the guard rail 3a.' Suitable flange-ways 7 are provided in the top of the heel block and a central recess 8 is formed therein to receive the adjusting block and the sliding pinv or plunger hereinafter described. A socket 9 is also provided in the switch heel block by recessing the surface portion thereof, which socket communicates with the central recess` 8.

The switch tongue 10 is provided with an extension preferably flush. with the tread thereof that engages in the socket 9 and forms the ivot 11. The tongue is also provided, pre erably beneath the pivot portion thereof,.with a depending lug 12 extending into the recess 8. The forward portion 13 of lsaid lug is referably circular in outline and is engagedp by a sliding pin or plunger end of the plunger and the end walllof the recess and is actuated preferably by means ofa bolt 17 secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by a swivel joint. Said bolt extends -through an opening 18 provided through the side lof the heel block and, if desired, through an opening 19 formed in theweb of the adjacent guard or track rail. A nut or other adjusting means 20 is mounted upon the bolt and engages with the side of theheel block and provides means of actuating the adjustment block. If desired a washer 21 may be interposed between the nut and the side wall of the heel block, but it is obvious that the said washer' or nut itself may contact directly with the web of the adjacent rail. Access is had to said nut for the purpose of rotating the same and so determining the position of the adjustment block through an opening 22 provided in the ange--way.

The tongue rests upon and is supported by the switch block and if desiredalso by the adjust-nient block and the pin or plunger which may be shaped to provide a bearing therefor. The lug on the tongue preferably extends slightly beneaththe walls of the socket so as to prevent vertical displacement ofthe switch tongue.

By means of this construct-ion the switch andall of its adjustable mechanism is selfcontained within the limits of the track lines of the switch itself and no interior box or casing is required. The bolt and nut for tightening the pivot to its bearings are ajrranged inside of the web of the outside body of the switch and are operated through an opening-in the flange-way between the tread and guard of the track line thus making the switch extremely compact. All of the parts are readily accessible and it will be noted that the tongue may be removed by simply loosening the lnut that controls the adjusting parts without disturbing the switch proper. This construction also admits of the rear par't of the tongue which is a point of`most severe wear being firmly supported upon the switch heel block adjacent to the pivot. The pivot isl well lprotected by the side walls of the switch heel block and subjected to comparatively little wearand all liability of the tongue being improperly thrown by the wheels of a passing car is avoided.

- This construction is particularly applicable to switches comprising one or more castings having rolled or cast rails bolted thereto and can be used in any location where a switch may be required.

Although we have shown the adjustment and pivoting arrangement of the switch tongue as designed speciiically for switches made by using separate rails it will be understood that our construction is equally applicable to switches in which all, or some of the parts of the switch other than the tongue are integral parts of a casting or castings, and that it is immaterial Whether the tongue is placed on the inside or the outside of a curve or on both sides. It is understood also that various other changes and adaptations within the skill of the rnechanic may be made without departing from the spirit ot' the invention provided the means set forth in the 'following claims be employed.

IVe claim as'our invention:

1. In a tongue switch the combination with a heel block and a tongue pivoted thereto, oi' means for holding sa1d tongue in its socket comprising a movable adjustment block, and means for actuating said block within the limits of the track lines of the switch.

2. In a tongue switch the combination with a heel block provided with a socket, of a tongue having an extension tlush with the tread of said tongue seating in said socket and forming a pivot for said tongue,

and -means for holding said pivot portion of the tongue in said socket arranged within the limits of. the track lines of the switch.

3. In a tongue switch the combination said socket to form the pivotI for said tongue, a lug on said tongue projecting into a recess provided in the switch heel block beneath said socket, an adjusting block operatively engaging said lug by means of a sliding plunger, and means engaging said block for adjusting the same.

4. In a tongue switch the combination of a heel block provided with a pivot socket and with a flange-way having an opening therein, a tongue provided with an extension seating in said socket to form a pivot, an adjusting block operatively engaging said tongue to hold said pivot in the socket, and means actuated through the opening in the flange-way of the switch block for adjusting said adjusting block.

5. In a tongue switch the combination of a heel block having a Harige-way with an opening therein, a tongue pivoted to said switch block, and means for holdingr said tongue in the socket comprising a wedge block, a bolt swiveled to said block and a nut on said bolt in the opening in the tlangeway and acting against the heel block to move said bolt, substantially as described.

6. In a tongue switch the combination with a heel block seating upon the bases of the adjacent track and guard rails and bolted thereto, and an extension ou said switch block bolted to a main rail, said heel block having a socket formed in the top thereof and being provided with a central recess, of a tongue pivoted in said socket and provided with a depending lug projecting into said recess, a plunger engaging said lug, a wedge engaging said plunger, and means for adjusting said wedge.

This specification signed and witnessed this 17th day of July, A. D., 1909.

. JAMES BOORMAN STRONG.

JOHN DOUGLAS MCPHERSON. In the presence of- IRA MAXWELL BIRCH, EDWARD J AMES BANKER. 

